Pesticidal compositions

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to pesticidal compositions and to methods for controlling pests such as insects and other arthropods. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a pesticidal compositions containing mineral oil and one or more additional components which, when used in combination, act synergistically to control insect and pest populations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/044,297 filed Apr. 11, 2008 and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/115,231, filed Nov. 17, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to pesticidal compositions and a methodof controlling insects and other pests. More particularly, thedisclosure relates to pesticidal compositions containing mineral oil andone or more additional components which, when used in combination, actsynergistically to control pests such as arthropods.

Insects and other arthropod pests can have negative effects on thequality of human life. For instance, when found in the home, insects andother arthropods can be a source of annoyance due purely to theirpresence. They may also spread disease and allergens. Additionally, whenfound on plants and crops, insects and other pest arthropods can destroyfoliage and fruit, and may adversely affect plant and crop growth,quality, and yield.

Among the insects which are particularly undesirable are domesticcockroaches. These insects produce allergens in their saliva, fecalmaterial, cast skins and body parts which may be particularlyproblematic for people suffering from allergies.

It is domestically and commercially desirable to control cockroachesthrough the use of pesticide products. It is also desirable for tocontrol other crawling arthropods, such as ants, beetles, earwigs,silverfish, crickets, spiders, centipedes and various flying insectsincluding flies, mosquitoes, gnats, moths, wasps, hornets, bees, and thelike.

A broad range of compounds have been found to be toxic to insects andother arthropods such that formulations containing the compounds may beused for their control. However, most compounds damage the environmentand adversely affect human health. There is a need for new pesticideswhich are generally safe to the environment and non-toxic to humans andanimals and which are effective at controlling insect and other pestpopulations.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to pesticidal compositions and a methodof controlling pests such as arthropods and, in particular, insects. Thepesticidal compositions of embodiments of the present disclosure areparticularly effective at controlling cockroaches. More particularly,the disclosure relates to a pesticidal composition containing mineraloil and one or more additional components which, when used incombination, act synergistically to control insect and other pestpopulations.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a pesticidalcomposition comprising a first active ingredient and a second activeingredient. The first active ingredient is a mineral oil and the secondactive ingredient is an ester compound. The ester compound is selectedfrom the group consisting of ethyl lactate, γ-butyrolactone, triacetinand combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the pesticidal composition comprises a first activeingredient and a second active ingredient. The first active ingredientis a mineral oil and the second active ingredient is an alcohol selectedfrom the group consisting of methanol, 1-proponal, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol,1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, 1-dodecanol,1-tetradecanol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol,2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol andcombinations thereof.

In yet another aspect, the pesticidal composition comprises a firstactive ingredient and a second active ingredient. The first activeingredient is a mineral oil and the second active ingredient is selectedfrom the group consisting of hexylene glycol, dioxane, nitromethane,acetophenone, pyridine and combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method ofcontrolling arthropods. An arthropod is contacted with a pesticidallyeffective amount of a composition comprising a first active ingredientand a second active ingredient. The first active ingredient is a mineraloil and the second active ingredient is an ester compound.

In a further aspect of the method, an arthropod is contacted with apesticidally effective amount of a composition comprising a first activeingredient and a second active ingredient. The first active ingredientis a mineral oil and the second active ingredient is an alcohol selectedfrom the group consisting of methanol, 1-proponal, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol,1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, 1-dodecanol,1-tetradecanol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol,2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol andcombinations thereof.

In yet another aspect of the method, the arthropod is contacted with apesticidally effective amount of a composition comprising a first activeingredient and a second active ingredient. The first active ingredientis a mineral oil and the second active ingredient is selected from thegroup consisting of hexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene, nitromethane,acetophenone, pyridine and combinations thereof.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method ofcontrolling cockroaches. A cockroach is contacted with a pesticidallyeffective amount of a composition comprising a first active ingredientand at least 3% of a second active ingredient by weight of thecomposition. The first active ingredient is a mineral oil and the secondactive ingredient is an alcohol.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointedout hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a chart depicting the effects of compositions comprisingmineral oil and/or ethyl lactate on the mortality of adult Germancockroaches as discussed in Example 1.

FIG. 2 is a chart depicting the effects of compositions comprisingmineral oil and/or butyl lactate on the mortality of adult Germancockroaches as discussed in Example 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the present disclosure, it has now been found thatthe combination of mineral oil and one or more additional compoundsselected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, butyl lactate,isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene, a C1-C14saturated straight-chain alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol, isobutylalcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol,diacetone alcohol, and combinations thereof, is effective for use incontrolling insect and other pest populations. In particular, it hasbeen discovered that compositions comprising mineral oil in combinationwith ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol,dioxane, d-limonene, a C1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohol,isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol,2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, γ-butyrolactone,nitromethane, acetophenone, triacetin, pyridine, 2-ethoxyethanol orcombinations thereof are more effective at killing targeted insects andpests than compositions comprising only mineral oil or compositionscomprising ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, hexyleneglycol, dioxane, d-limonene, a C1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohol,isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol,2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, γ-butyrolactone,nitromethane, acetophenone, triacetin, pyridine, or 2-ethoxyethanol butno mineral oil. Advantageously, the compositions of the presentdisclosure also have a generally lower or reduced non-target (e.g.,humans, other mammals, birds and reptiles) toxicity as compared to manyother known pest control materials.

Thus, in one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a pesticidalcomposition comprising a first active ingredient and a second activeingredient, the first active ingredient being mineral oil, and thesecond active ingredient being selected from the group consisting ofethyl lactate, butyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol,dioxane, d-limonene, a C1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohol,isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol,2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, γ-butyrolactone,nitromethane, acetophenone, triacetin, pyridine, 2-ethoxyethanol andcombinations thereof. The composition may be sprayed or otherwiseapplied directly on crawling or flying insects or other arthropod pestsin sufficient concentrations to kill the pests.

As noted above, the pesticidal compositions of the present disclosurecomprise a first active ingredient which is mineral oil. Any type ofmineral oil may be used in the pesticidal compositions. In one preferredembodiment, the mineral oil is PD-23 (available from ChemturaCorporation, Middlebury, Conn.). PD-23 is a light grade petroleumdistillate having a flash point of 230° F. (110° C.), as measured byASTM D-92, and a vapor pressure of less than 0.1 mmHg at 20° C. PD-23 isa highly refined petroleum distillate that physically resembles a verylight, clear oil, and is made by fractionating oil to a narrow boilingrange, then catalytically hydrotreating it to remove all aromatic andother unsaturated hydrocarbons. PD-23 is hydrophobic, colorless,tasteless, virtually odorless, and color fast. PD-23 generally has a lowviscosity, e.g., about 2.6 centistokes (cSt) at 40° C. or a SayboltUniversal Seconds (SUS) viscosity of about 34 SUS at 100° F. (38° C.).

Other types of suitable mineral oils may also be used including, forexample, PD-25 and PD-28 (both available from Chemtura Corporation,Middlebury, Conn.). PD-25 typically has a viscosity of about 3.5 cSt at40° C. or about 39 SUS at 100° F. (38° C.). PD-28 typically has aviscosity of about 4.2 cSt at 40° C. or about 39 SUS at 100° F. (38°C.). Another suitable mineral oil is EXXSOL D95 (available from ExxonMobil). EXXSOL D95 is a de-aromatized petroleum distillate. EXXSOL D95typically has a viscosity of about 1.92 cSt at 40° C.

Typically, the viscosity of the mineral oil will range from about 2.0cSt at 40° C. to about 5.0 cSt at 40° C., and more typically will befrom about 2.6 cSt at 40° C. to about 4.2 cSt at 40° C. In otherembodiments the viscosity of the mineral oil is from about 1.5 cSt toabout 5.0 cSt at 40° C. In general, it has been determined thatpesticidal compositions of the present disclosure that comprise amineral oil having a relatively low viscosity are more effective atkilling pests than pesticidal compositions comprising mineral oil havinga higher viscosity.

In one embodiment, the pesticidal composition comprises more than onemineral oil. The total amount of mineral oil present in the pesticidalcomposition may be at least about 5% (by weight of the composition), atleast about 10% (by weight of the composition), at least about 20% (byweight of the composition), at least about 30% (by weight of thecomposition), at least about 40% (by weight of the composition), or evenat least about 50% (by weight of the composition).

Typically, the pesticidal compositions will comprise from about 5% (byweight of the composition) to about 90% (by weight of the composition)of mineral oil, and more typically from about 40% (by weight of thecomposition) to about 80% (by weight of the composition) of mineral oil.

In some embodiments, the mineral oil is a petroleum distillatecomposition. The amount of petroleum distillate composition in thepesticidal composition may generally be the same as the amounts listedfor the mineral oil as described above.

In addition to mineral oil, the pesticidal compositions of the presentdisclosure further comprise at least one second active ingredientselected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, butyl lactate,isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene, a C1-C14saturated straight-chain alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol, isobutylalcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol,diacetone alcohol, γ-butyrolactone, nitromethane, acetophenone,triacetin, pyridine, 2-ethoxyethanol and combinations thereof.Advantageously, these second active ingredients act synergistically withmineral oil to provide a pesticidal composition that is effective incontrolling insect and other pest populations. Surprisingly, as can beseen from the examples set forth hereinafter, compositions comprising acombination of mineral oil and one or more of ethyl lactate, butyllactate, isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene, aC1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol,isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol,2-phenylethanol and diacetone alcohol, γ-butyrolactone, nitromethane,acetophenone, triacetin, pyridine, 2-ethoxyethanol, are substantiallymore effective in killing insects than either mineral oil in the absenceof one of these second active ingredients, or any of the second activeingredients in the absence of mineral oil.

In one embodiment, the pesticidal composition comprises more than onesecond active ingredient. The additional second active ingredient oringredients may generally be selected from the list of compoundsdescribed above or below as potential second active ingredients.

The total amount of second active ingredient or ingredients present inthe pesticidal composition may be at least about 3% (by weight of thecomposition), at least about 5% (by weight of the composition), at leastabout 10% (by weight of the composition), at least about 20% (by weightof the composition), at least about 30% (by weight of the composition),at least about 40% (by weight of the composition), or even at leastabout 50% (by weight of the composition).

The total amount of second active ingredient present in the pesticidalcompositions will typically be from about 3% (by weight of thecomposition) to about 95% (by weight of the composition), more typicallyfrom about 5% (by weight of the composition) to about 95% (by weight ofthe composition), and more preferably from about 10% (by weight of thecomposition) to about 60% (by weight of the composition).

The amount of each particular second active ingredient present in thecomposition may vary depending on the ingredient, the amount of mineraloil in the composition, and whether or not more than one second activeingredient is present in the composition.

In one embodiment, the second active ingredient is selected from ethyllactate, butyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol, dioxane,d-limonene and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the secondactive ingredient is selected from ethyl lactate, butyl lactate,isopropyl myristate, d-limonene and combinations thereof. In yet anotherembodiment, the second active ingredient is selected from the groupconsisting of ethyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol,dioxane, d-limonene and combinations thereof and, in a furtherembodiment, ethyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, d-limonene andcombinations thereof.

Typically, ethyl lactate may be present in the composition in an amountof from about 5% (by weight of the composition) to about 95% (by weightof the composition), and more preferably from about 10% (by weight ofthe composition) to about 60% (by weight of the composition).Compositions comprising about 12.5% (by weight of the composition)mineral oil and about 37.5% (by weight of the composition) ethyllactate, or about 25% (by weight of the composition) mineral oil andabout 25% (by weight of the composition) ethyl lactate, or about 37.5%(by weight of the composition) mineral oil and about 12.5% (by weight ofthe composition) ethyl lactate, or about 5% (by weight of thecomposition) mineral oil and about 45% (by weight of the composition)ethyl lactate have been found to be particularly effective at killinginsects such as cockroaches.

Butyl lactate may be present in the composition in an amount of fromabout 5% (by weight of the composition) to about 90% (by weight of thecomposition), more preferably from about 10% (by weight of thecomposition) to about 80% (by weight of the composition), and morepreferably from about 10% (by weight of the composition) to about 60%(by weight of the composition). Compositions comprising about 12.5% (byweight of the composition) mineral oil and about 37.5% (by weight of thecomposition) butyl lactate, or about 25% (by weight of the composition)mineral oil and about 25% (by weight of the composition) butyl lactate,or about 37.5% (by weight of the composition) mineral oil and about12.5% (by weight of the composition) butyl lactate have been found to beparticularly effective at killing insects such as cockroaches.

Isopropyl myristate may be present in the composition in an amount offrom about 5% (by weight of the composition) to about 95% (by weight ofthe composition), more preferably from about 10% (by weight of thecomposition) to about 80% (by weight of the composition), and morepreferably from about 10% (by weight of the composition) to about 60%(by weight of the composition). Compositions comprising about 60% (byweight of the composition) mineral oil and about 20% (by weight of thecomposition) isopropyl myristate, or about 50% (by weight of thecomposition) mineral oil and about 30% (by weight of the composition)isopropyl myristate, or about 40% (by weight of the composition) mineraloil and about 40% (by weight of the composition) isopropyl myristatehave been found to be particularly effective at killing insects such ascockroaches.

Hexylene glycol may be present in the composition in an amount of fromabout 5% (by weight of the composition) to about 90% (by weight of thecomposition), and more preferably from about 10% (by weight of thecomposition) to about 60% (by weight of the composition). Compositionscomprising about 60% (by weight of the composition) mineral oil andabout 20% (by weight of the composition) hexylene glycol have been foundto be particularly effective at killing insects such as cockroaches.

Dioxane may be present in the composition in an amount of from about 5%(by weight of the composition) to about 80% (by weight of thecomposition), more preferably from about 5% (by weight of thecomposition) to about 60% (by weight of the composition), and morepreferably from about 10% (by weight of the composition) to about 60%(by weight of the composition). Compositions comprising about 40% (byweight of the composition) mineral oil and about 40% (by weight of thecomposition) dioxane have been found to be particularly effective atkilling insects such as cockroaches.

D-limonene may be present in the composition in an amount of from about3% (by weight of the composition) to about 90% (by weight of thecomposition), and more preferably from about 5% (by weight of thecomposition) to about 90% (by weight of the composition), and morepreferably from about 5% (by weight of the composition) to about 60% (byweight of the composition). Compositions comprising about 40% (by weightof the composition) mineral oil and about 40% (by weight of thecomposition) d-limonene have been found to be particularly effective atkilling insects such as cockroaches.

In one embodiment, the second active ingredient is an ester compound.When ester compounds are present in the pesticidal composition as asecond active ingredient, additional second active ingredients that arenot ester compounds may also be present in the composition. The amountof ester compounds that are present in the pesticidal composition may beat least about 50% of all the second active ingredients, at least about65% of all the second active ingredients, at least about 75% of all thesecond active ingredients, at least about 85% of all the second activeingredients, at least about 95% of all the second active ingredients, oreven at least about 99% of all the second active ingredients. In oneembodiment, the total amount (i.e., about 100%) of second activeingredients present in the pesticidal composition is ester compounds.

The ester compounds present in the pesticidal composition may beselected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, butyl lactate,isopropyl myristate, γ-butyrolactone, triacetin and combinationsthereof. These listed esters may be present in the pesticidalcomposition in an amount of at least about 1% by weight of thecomposition, at least about 3%, at least about 5%, at least about 10% oreven at least about 15% by weight of the composition. In one embodiment,the ester compounds are present in an amount from about 10% to about 60%by weight of the composition.

In another embodiment, the ester compounds are selected from the groupconsisting of ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, isopropyl myristate andcombinations thereof. In yet another embodiment, the ester compounds areselected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, γ-butyrolactone,triacetin and combinations thereof. In yet another aspect, the estercompounds are selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate,γ-butyrolactone, triacetin and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the second active ingredient is an alcohol. Thepesticidal composition may include one alcohol compound or more than onealcohol compound without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. When alcohols are present in the pesticidal composition as asecond active ingredient, additional second active ingredients that arenot alcohols may also be present in the composition. The amount ofalcohol present in the pesticidal composition may be at least about 50%of all the second active ingredients, at least about 65% of all thesecond active ingredients, at least about 75% of all the second activeingredients, at least about 85% of all the second active ingredients, atleast about 95% of all the second active ingredients, or even at leastabout 99% of all the second active ingredients. In one embodiment, thetotal amount (i.e., about 100%) of second active ingredients present inthe pesticidal composition is an alcohol or alcohols.

The alcohol utilized in the second active ingredient may be selectedfrom the group consisting of C1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohols,isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol,2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol andcombinations thereof. These alcohols may be present in the pesticidalcomposition in at least about 1%, at least about 3%, at least about 5%,at least about 10% or even at least about 15% by weight of thecomposition. In one embodiment, the alcohols are present in an amountfrom about 10% to about 60% by weight of the composition.

In one embodiment, the alcohol is selected from the group consisting ofmethanol, 1-proponal, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol,1-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, 1-dodecanol, 1-tetradecanol,2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol,2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol and combinationsthereof. In a further embodiment, the alcohol is selected from methanol,1-proponal, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol,1-decanol, 1-undecanol, 1-dodecanol, 1-tetradecanol, 2-butanol, isobutylalcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol,diacetone alcohol and combinations thereof. The alcohol may also beselected from the group consisting of 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol,tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetonealcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the alcohol is selected from the group consistingof C1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohols, isopropyl alcohol,2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol,2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol and combinationsthereof.

The pesticidal composition may include a plurality of alcohol compoundsincluding a plurality of C1-C 14 saturated straight chain alcohols. Inone embodiment, the C1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohol is selectedfrom the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-proponal, 1-butanol,1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol,1-dodecanol, 1-tetradecanol and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the alcohol is a C1-C9 saturated straight-chainalcohol and, in another embodiment, is a C1-C6 straight chain alcohol.In one embodiment, the alcohol is a C3-C7 saturated straight-chainalcohol.

In a particular embodiment, mineral oil and a second active ingredientselected from the group consisting of C1-C14 saturated straight-chainalcohol, isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butylalcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol or diacetone alcohol may bepresent in the composition in a ratio based on the LD₁₀ or LD₅₀ value ofthe alcohol, which optimizes the biological effect of the blend.

For example, where the second active ingredient is isopropyl alcohol,2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol,2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, or a C1-C14 saturated straight chainalcohol, the LD₁₀ of each of the active ingredients is determined, forinstance, by the methods described in Example 9. A ratio is thendetermined based on about half of the LD₁₀ for mineral oil and about theLD₁₀ of the second active ingredient. For example, as detailed inExample 9, the LD₁₀ for PD23 mineral oil was determined to be 0.754mg/insect and the LD₁₀ for diacetone alcohol was determined to be 0.255mg/insect. About half of the LD₁₀ of PD23 is about 0.4 mg, while aboutthe LD₁₀ of diacetone alcohol is about 0.3 mg. Accordingly, for acomposition comprising PD23 and diacetone alcohol, a ratio correspondingto the above amounts is 4 parts PD23 to 3 parts diacetone alcohol, or4:3. Thus, a composition of this particular embodiment may comprise PD23and diacetone alcohol, among other things, in a ratio of 4:3.

Similarly, for example, in a composition comprising PD23 and 1-propanol,those active ingredients may be present in the composition in a ratio ofabout 4:4.5 or about 1:1. The ratio is determined based on the LD₁₀ for1-propanol and PD23, respectively, of 0.472 mg/insect and 0.754mg/insect. About half the LD₁₀ of PD23 is about 0.4 mg, and the LD₁₀ of1-propanol is about 0.45 mg, giving a ratio of about 4:4.5, or about1:1.

Alternatively, the ratio may be determined as above, but based on theLD₁₀:LD₁₀ of the mineral oil and second active ingredient. So, forexample, in a composition comprising PD23 and 1-propanol, the PD23 and1-propanol are present in a ratio of 8:4.5, or about 2:1.

Similarly, a C1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohol, isopropyl alcohol,2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol,2-phenylethanol or diacetone alcohol may be present in the compositionin a ratio relative to the mineral oil in the composition, where thisratio is determined based on the LD₅₀ for the alcohol and the LD₅₀ ofthe mineral oil. As above with respect to ratios based on LD₁₀, suchratios may be determined based on LD₅₀:LD₅₀; or may alternatively bedetermined based on 0.5 LD₅₀ for mineral oil and LD₅₀ for the secondactive ingredient.

In another embodiment, mineral oil and a second active ingredientselected from the group consisting of C1-C14 saturated straight-chainalcohol, isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butylalcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol,2-ethoxyethanol or combinations thereof may be present in thecomposition in a ratio which may be determined based on the LD₁₀ orLD₅₀.

In one embodiment, the second active ingredient is a compound selectedfrom the group consisting of hexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene,nitromethane, acetophenone, pyridine and combinations thereof. Theselisted compounds may be included with other second active ingredients.The amount of the listed compounds in the pesticidal composition may beat least about 50% of all the second active ingredients, at least about65% of all the second active ingredients, at least about 75% of all thesecond active ingredients, at least about 85% of all the second activeingredients, at least about 95% of all the second active ingredients, oreven at least about 99% of all the second active ingredients. In oneembodiment, the total amount (i.e., about 100%) of second activeingredients present in the pesticidal composition is compounds selectedfrom hexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene, nitromethane, acetophenone,pyridine and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the second active ingredient is selected from thegroup consisting of hexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene, nitromethane,acetophenone, pyridine and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the second active ingredient is selected fromhexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene and combinations thereof. In afurther embodiment, the second active ingredient is selected fromnitromethane, acetophenone, pyridine and combinations thereof.

These compounds may be present in the pesticidal composition in at leastabout 1%, at least about 3%, at least about 5%, at least about 10% oreven at least about 15% by weight of the composition. In one embodiment,the listed compounds are present in an amount from about 10% to about60% by weight of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the pesticidal compositions may comprise mineraloil plus two or more of the second active ingredients. For instance, inone particular embodiment, the pesticidal composition comprises mineraloil, ethyl lactate, and isopropyl myristate. In this embodiment, thepesticidal composition preferably comprises from about 5% (by weight ofthe composition) to about 30% (by weight of the composition) of ethyllactate, and more typically from about 5% (by weight of the composition)to about 15% (by weight of the composition) of ethyl lactate; from about5% (by weight of the composition) to about 60% (by weight of thecomposition) of isopropyl myristate, and more typically from about 5%(by weight of the composition) to about 30% (by weight of thecomposition) of isopropyl myristate; and from about 20% (by weight ofthe composition) to about 70% (by weight of the composition) of mineraloil.

In another particular embodiment, the pesticidal composition comprisesmineral oil, d-limonene, and ethyl lactate. In this embodiment, thepesticidal composition preferably comprises from about 5% (by weight ofthe composition) to about 60% (by weight of the composition) ofd-limonene, from about 5% (by weight of the composition) to about 30%(by weight of the composition) of ethyl lactate, and from about 20% (byweight of the composition) to about 90% (by weight of the composition)of mineral oil.

In yet another particular embodiment, the pesticidal compositioncomprises mineral oil, d-limonene, and butyl lactate. In thisembodiment, the pesticidal composition preferably comprises from about5% (by weight of the composition) to about 20% (by weight of thecomposition) of d-limonene, from about 5% (by weight of the composition)to about 20% (by weight of the composition) of butyl lactate, and fromabout 30% (by weight of the composition) to about 80% (by weight of thecomposition) of mineral oil.

In still another particular embodiment, the pesticidal composition maycomprise mineral oil, d-limonene, ethyl lactate, and isopropylmyristate. In this embodiment, the pesticidal composition preferablycomprises from about 5% (by weight of the composition) to about 20% (byweight of the composition) of d-limonene, from about 5% (by weight ofthe composition) to about 20% (by weight of the composition) of ethyllactate, from about 20% (by weight of the composition) to about 40% (byweight of the composition) of isopropyl myristate, and from about 30%(by weight of the composition) to about 80% (by weight of thecomposition) of mineral oil.

In addition to the first and one or more second active ingredients, thepesticidal compositions of the present disclosure may further comprise aplant essential oil or derivative thereof, which may also havepesticidal properties. Such plant essential oils or derivatives may beextracted from natural sources or synthetically made, and generallycontain, as at least one major constituent, an acyclic monoterpenealcohol or aldehyde, a benzenoid aromatic compound containing at leastone oxygenated substituent or side chain, or a monocarbocyclic terpenegenerally having a six membered ring bearing one or more oxygenatedsubstituents. Examples of such essential oils or their derivativesinclude, but are not limited to, members selected from the groupconsisting of aldehyde C16 (pure), alpha-terpineol, amyl cinnamicaldehyde, amyl salicylate, anisic aldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzylacetate, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic alcohol, carvacrol, carveol, citral,citronellal, citronellol, dimethyl salicylate, eucalyptol (cineole),eugenol, iso-eugenol, galaxolide, geraniol, guaiacol, ionone, menthol,methyl anthranilate, methyl ionone, methyl salicylate, nerol,alpha-phellandrene, pennyroyal oil, perillaldehyde, 1- or 2-phenyl ethylalcohol, 1- or 2-phenyl ethyl propionate, piperonal, piperonyl acetate,piperonyl alcohol, D-pulegone, terpinen-4-ol, terpinyl acetate, 4-tertbutylcyclohexyl acetate, thyme oil (white and red), thymol,trans-anethole, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, and the like.

Other suitable oils include, for example, castor oil, cedar oil,cinnamon and cinnamon oil, citronella and citronella oil, cloves andclove oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, garlic and garlic oil, geraniumoil, lemongrass oil, linseed oil, mint and mint oil, peppermint andpeppermint oil, rosemary and rosemary oil, sesame and sesame oil,soybean oil, white pepper, and the like. Preferably, the plant essentialoil or derivative is geraniol.

The pesticidal compositions will typically comprise from about 1% (byweight of the composition) to about 60% (by weight of the composition ofthe plant essential oil or derivative, more typically from about 2% (byweight of the composition) to about 60% (by weight of the composition),and more typically from about 2% (by weight of the composition) to about20% (by weight of the composition) of the plant essential oil orderivative.

In one embodiment, the pesticidal composition includes a first activeingredient that is a mineral oil, at least one second active ingredientthat is selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, butyllactate, isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol, dioxane, d-limonene, aC1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanol,isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol,2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, and combinations thereof and a thirdactive ingredient that is a plant essential oil or derivative. In oneembodiment, the plant essential oil or derivative is geraniol. Inanother embodiment, the composition also includes nerol.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises from about 10% to about 70%of the first ingredient by weight of the composition, from about 5% toabout 50% of the second ingredient by weight of the composition and fromabout 0.5% to about 15% of the third active ingredient by weight of thecomposition.

The amount of geraniol present in the composition may be at least about2% by weight of the composition, at least about 4% or at least about 6%by weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the amount of geraniolpresent in the composition is from about 0.5% to about 8% by weight ofthe composition. Nerol may be present in the composition in an amountfrom about 0.5% to about 3% by weight of the composition.

In another embodiment, the pesticidal composition comprises mineral oil,and at least two second active ingredients, each second activeingredient being selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate,butyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, hexylene glycol, dioxane,d-limonene, a C1-C14 saturated straight-chain alcohol, isopropylalcohol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol,2-butoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, diacetone alcohol, and combinationsthereof and a third active ingredient that is a plant essential oil orderivative. In one embodiment, the plant essential oil or derivative isgeraniol. In another embodiment, the composition also includes nerol.

In another embodiment, the pesticidal composition comprises a mineraloil, ethyl lactate, isopropyl myristate and geraniol. The compositionmay also include nerol. Additional additives may include essential oilssuch as lemongrass oil and carbon dioxide (described below).

In one embodiment, the pesticidal composition comprises, by weight ofthe composition, about 43% mineral oil, about 15% ethyl lactate, about30% isopropyl myristate and about 6% geraniol. The composition may alsoinclude about 3% nerol and about 1% lemongrass oil.

Additionally, the pesticidal composition may further comprise otherknown insecticidal or pesticidal agents, including, for example,synergists such as piperonyl butoxide, MGK 264, and dillapiol; as wellas other plant-derived insecticidal or pesticidal materials such aspyrethrum.

The composition may also comprise an amount of water. In variousembodiments, the composition contains water in an amount of, by weightof the composition, at least about 10%, at least about 25%, at leastabout 50% or even at least about 75%. In one embodiment, the amount ofwater in the solution is from about 10% to about 50% by weight of thecomposition and, in another embodiment, from about 25% to about 75% byweight of the composition.

The compositions of the present disclosure may further comprise asuitable solvent, carrier or emulsifier. Examples of suitable solventsor carriers include water, acetone, alcohols such as ethanol andisopropyl alcohol, dimethyl ether, and chlorinated hydrocarbon solventssuch as methylene chloride and methyl chloroform. Examples ofemulsifiers would include soaps (such as fatty acid soaps), cationic,ionic and non-ionic compounds. Additional carriers for use in variousgranular formulations include, for example, corn cob grits, diatomaceousearth, sand, clay, and the like.

The pesticidal compositions of the present disclosure may be dispensedin any conventional manner, e.g., from a standard pump-spray container.In one embodiment, the pesticide is in a ready-to-use form in which thecomposition does not need to be diluted before application.Alternatively, the pesticidal composition may be in a concentrate form.The end-user of the concentrate composition may dilute the concentrateprior to use by, for example, addition of water. In one embodiment, thepesticidal composition is diluted in the pump spray bottle. In variousembodiments, the concentrate pesticidal composition may be diluted byaddition of water in an amount of, by weight of the concentratecomposition, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 75%,at least about 100%, at least about 150%, at least about 200% or even atleast about 300%.

When the pesticidal composition is present in a concentrate form, insome embodiments, dilution may cause formation of a water-concentrateemulsion. The pesticidal concentrate may include emulsifiers such assurfactants (e.g., surfactants such as fatty acid soaps). Suitablecompounds may be cationic, ionic, and non-ionic. Suitable emulsifyingcompounds include alkyl aryl sulionate-based emulsifiers,polyoxyethylenes and long-chain alcohols.

In one embodiment, the pesticidal composition is packaged in apressurized container such as a conventional aerosol container or thelike. The composition may be pressurized utilizing any suitablepropellant. Examples of suitable propellants include expandable gasessuch as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, propane, n-butane, isobutane, blendsof propane and butane, HFC-152a (difluoroethane), HFC-134a(1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), and combinations thereof.

Any conventional technique may be used to charge the aerosol containerwith carbon dioxide or other expandable gas. In one embodiment, thegasser-shaker method may be used. This method involves shaking oragitating the container and its contents as the carbon dioxide (or othergas) is forced into the container through a valve, with the rest of thecomposition having been introduced into the container prior toinstallation of the valve. The rate of injection of the gas depends onthe valve orifice size, and the shaking time depends on the containersize, the amount of liquid, and the degree of agitation, as well as thetemperature.

Alternatively, the pesticidal composition may be saturated with carbondioxide prior to introduction into the container, and then pumped underpressure to a rotary undercap filler and filled as in a normal undercapoperation, or pressured into containers already equipped with valves.Other suitable methods known in the art may also be used.

Other examples of suitable propellants which may be used are known inthe art and include, for example, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether,nitrous oxide, and the like.

Typically the composition will comprise propellant in an amount of fromabout 2% (by weight of the composition) to about 90% (by weight of thecomposition), and more typically in an amount of from about 2% (byweight of the composition) to about 10% (by weight of the composition).

As noted above, the pesticidal compositions of the present disclosuremay be sprayed or otherwise contacted with insects or other pests toeffectively control insect or other pest populations. Thus, in oneembodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method ofcontrolling insects and pests. The method comprises contacting theinsects and pests with a pesticidally effective amount of a compositionof the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, an arthropod is contacted with the pesticidalcomposition in a pesticidally effective amount. For purposes of thepresent disclosure, a “pesticidally effective amount” of the compositionincludes amounts that repel the arthropod or other pest and may include,in another embodiment, amounts of the composition that kill thearthropod or other pest.

The pesticidal compositions of embodiments of the present disclosure maybe used to control arthropods and, in another embodiment, to controlinsects. In one embodiment, the pesticidal composition is used tocontrol cockroaches. Control of the pest (e.g., arthropod, insect,cockroach, etc.) may include contacting the pest with the pesticidalcomposition. In one embodiment, the pest is contacted with thepesticidal composition by spraying the composition directly on thecrawling arthropod, flying insect or other pest. The composition may besprayed in a sufficient amount to cause death. The pesticidalcomposition may also be sprayed in locations at which the pest is likelyto come into contact with the composition.

The amount of the pesticidal composition required to kill insects orother pests and the time until pest death will vary depending on thecomposition components, the type of insect species and its life stage,and the like. The time required to kill a pest contacted with thepesticidal composition of the present disclosure will typically rangefrom mere seconds to several hours.

The pesticidal compositions of the present disclosure are particularlyeffective against cockroaches, including the species PeriplanetaAmericana (American cockroach), Blattella germanica (German cockroach),Blattella asahinai (Asian cockroach), and Blatta orientalis (Orientalcockroach). However, the pesticidal compositions may also be usedagainst a wide variety of other crawling insects or other arthropods,such as ants, water bugs, silverfish, crickets, spiders, ticks, mites,sowbugs, pillbugs, beetles, earwigs, centipedes, and the like. As usedherein, the term “water bugs” refers to aquatic insects in the orderHemiptera. Examples of water bugs include giant water bugs, creepingwater bugs, water scorpions, water boatmen, backswimmers, and the like.In one embodiment, the pesticidal compositions are effective againstvarious flying insects including flies, mosquitoes, gnats, moths, wasps,hornets, bees, and the like.

The pesticidal compositions of the present disclosure generally resultin at least 80% mortality, more preferably at least 95% mortality, andmore preferably 100% mortality of the insects on contact, depending onthe specific composition, the amount of composition applied to theinsect and the insect species and life stage.

Having described the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustratethe present disclosure.

Unless otherwise indicated, the mineral oil used in the followingexamples was PD-23 (available from Chemtura Corporation, Middlebury,Conn.), which is a light grade petroleum distillate having a flash pointof 230° F. (110° C.), as measured by ASTM D-92, and a vapor pressure ofless than 0.1 mmHg at 20° C. PD-23 is a highly refined petroleumdistillate that resembles a very clear oil, and is made by fractionatingoil to a narrow boiling range, then catalytically hydrotreating it toremove all aromatic and other unsaturated hydrocarbons. PD-23 ishydrophobic, colorless, tasteless, virtually odorless, and color fast.

Example 1

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising variousconcentrations of mineral oil and/or ethyl lactate at killing Germancockroaches was tested.

To begin, compositions comprising mineral oil and/or ethyl lactate inthe following concentrations were prepared: 100% (wt/wt) mineral oil/0%(wt/wt) ethyl lactate; 90% (wt/wt) mineral oil/10% (wt/wt) ethyllactate; 75% (wt/wt) mineral oil/25% (wt/wt) ethyl lactate; 50% (wt/wt)mineral oil/50% (wt/wt) ethyl lactate; 25% (wt/wt) mineral oil/75%(wt/wt) ethyl lactate; 10% (wt/wt) mineral oil/90% (wt/wt) ethyllactate; 0% (wt/wt) mineral oil/100% (wt/wt) ethyl lactate. The ethyllactate was obtained from Vertech Biosolvents, Inc., Downers Grove, Ill.

Prior to testing, each composition containing either mineral oil, ethyllactate, or a combination of mineral oil and ethyl lactate was dilutedby 50% by mixing the composition with acetone in a 1:1 ratio (wt/wt) toreduce viscosity prior to application of the compositions to thecockroaches. The amount of mineral oil, ethyl lactate, and acetonepresent in the final composition (A-G) is set forth below in Table 1.

Toxicity evaluations were performed on 7-14 day old adult male andfemale German cockroaches (SCJ Strain, S.C. Johnson & Son, Racine,Wis.). Approximately 12 cockroaches were transferred to individual100×20 mm polystyrene Petri dishes and anesthetized with a 15-25 secondexposure to carbon dioxide. The inside edge of each Petri dish waslightly coated with mineral oil plus petroleum jelly in a 1:3 (wt/wt)ratio to minimize escape. Anesthetized cockroaches were positioned withtheir ventral side up, and a 1 μl drop of the diluted test compositionwas applied to the area between the meso- and metathoracic legs using aRainin L-10, 10 μl capacity pipette (Rainin Instrument, LLC, Oakland,Calif.). Five replications of 12 male cockroaches were done for eachtest composition. Separate tests were done using female cockroaches.Results were evaluated at 24 hours following treatment. Cockroaches werescored as either alive (dorsal side up, active movement when abdomenprodded with dissecting probe) or moribund/dead (dorsal side up and nomovement when abdomen prodded or ventral side up and insect unable toright itself).

Results are shown in FIG. 1 and Table 1, which lists the number of deadcockroaches out of 60 total cockroaches for each test performed usingthe diluted test compositions (A-G).

TABLE 1 Ethyl Males Mineral lactate Acetone (# dead Females (#Composition oil (wt/wt) (wt/wt) (wt/wt) out of 60) dead out of 60) A  50%   0% 50% 6 1 B   45%   5% 50% 7 0 C 37.5% 12.5% 50% 40 20 D   25%  25% 50% 56 44 E 12.5% 37.5% 50% 57 40 F   5%   45% 50% 49 38 G   0%  50% 50% 3 0

As can be seen from these results, cockroaches treated with testcomposition C-F (containing both mineral oil and ethyl lactate) hadsignificantly higher mortality rates than cockroaches treated with onlymineral oil (composition A) or only ethyl lactate (composition G),indicating a synergistic effect when the combination of mineral oil andethyl lactate is used.

Example 2

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising variousconcentrations of mineral oil and/or butyl lactate at killingcockroaches was tested.

To begin, compositions comprising mineral oil and/or butyl lactate inthe following concentrations were prepared: 100% (wt/wt) mineral oil/0%(wt/wt) butyl lactate; 90% (wt/wt) mineral oil/10% (wt/wt) butyllactate; 75% (wt/wt) mineral oil/25% (wt/wt) butyl lactate; 50% (wt/wt)mineral oil/50% (wt/wt) butyl lactate; 25% (wt/wt) mineral oil/75%(wt/wt) butyl lactate; 10% (wt/wt) mineral oil/90% (wt/wt) butyllactate; 0% (wt/wt) mineral oil/100% (wt/wt) butyl lactate. The butyllactate was obtained from Vertech Biosolvents, Inc., Downers Grove, Ill.

Prior to testing, each composition containing either mineral oil, butyllactate, or a combination of mineral oil and butyl lactate was dilutedby 50% by mixing the composition with acetone in a 1:1 ratio (wt/wt) toreduce viscosity prior to application of the composition to thecockroaches. The amount of mineral oil, butyl lactate, and acetonepresent in the final compositions (H-N) is set forth below in Table 2.

Tests were performed as described in Example 1. The results are shown inFIG. 2 and Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Butyl Males Mineral lactate Acetone (# dead Females (#Composition oil (wt/wt) (wt/wt) (wt/wt) out of 60) dead out of 60) H  50%   0% 50% 3 0 I   45%   5% 50% 9 3 J 37.5% 12.5% 50% 37 29 K   25%  25% 50% 52 35 L 12.5% 37.5% 50% 38 18 M   5%   45% 50% 8 4 N   0%  50% 50% 1 4

As can be seen from these results, cockroaches treated with testcomposition J-L (containing both mineral oil and butyl lactate) hadsignificantly higher mortality rates than cockroaches treated with onlymineral oil (composition H) or only butyl lactate (composition N),indicating a synergistic effect when the combination of mineral oil andbutyl lactate is used.

Example 3

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising variousconcentrations of mineral oil and/or hexylene glycol at killingcockroaches was tested.

To begin, compositions comprising mineral oil, hexylene glycol, or acombination of mineral oil and hexylene glycol were prepared. The amountof mineral oil and/or hexylene glycol in each composition is set forthbelow in Table 3, with the remainder of each composition consisting ofacetone.

Tests were generally performed as described in Example 1, except thenumber of cockroaches (all male) tested for each composition is setforth below in Table 3, and the compositions were not further dilutedwith acetone in a 1:1 (wt/wt) ratio prior to testing. The results areshown in Table 3 below, which lists the number of cockroaches tested foreach composition, the number of dead cockroaches out of the total numberof cockroaches tested, the square root percent dead cockroaches, theproportion of dead cockroaches, and the arcsine square root percent deadcockroaches.

TABLE 3 Square Arcsine Composition # # root % Proportion square (%wt/wt) tested dead dead dead root % dead Hexylene glycol 14 1 0.26726120.07142857 0 (20%) Hexylene glycol 12 0 0 0 0 (20%) Hexylene glycol 13 30.4803845 0.23076923 28.7105148 (20%) Hexylene glycol 14 0 0 0 0 (20%)Mineral oil (80%) 14 2 0.3779645 0.14285714 22.2076543 Mineral oil (80%)14 1 0.2672612 0.07142857 15.50135957 Mineral oil (80%) 13 2 0.39223230.15384615 23.09346927 Mineral oil (80%) 14 1 0.2672612 0.0714285715.50135957 Mineral oil 13 11 0.9198662 0.84615385 66.90653073 (60%),hexylene glycol (20%) Mineral oil 14 11 0.8864053 0.78571429 62.42495229(60%), hexylene glycol (20%) Mineral oil 14 13 0.9636241 0.9285714374.49864043 (60%), hexylene glycol (20%)

As can be seen from these results, cockroaches treated with compositionscontaining both mineral oil and hexylene glycol had significantly highermortality rates than cockroaches treated with only mineral oil or onlyhexylene glycol, indicating a synergistic effect when the combination ofmineral oil and hexylene glycol is used.

Example 4

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising variousconcentrations of mineral oil and/or isopropyl myristate at killingcockroaches was tested.

To begin, compositions comprising mineral oil, isopropyl myristate, or acombination of mineral oil and isopropyl myristate were prepared. Theamount of mineral oil and/or isopropyl myristate in each composition isset forth below in Table 4, with the remainder of each compositionconsisting of acetone.

Tests were generally performed as described in Example 1, except thenumber of cockroaches (all male) tested for each composition is setforth below in Table 4, and the compositions were not further dilutedwith acetone in a 1:1 (wt/wt) ratio prior to testing. The results areshown in Table 4 below, which lists the number of cockroaches tested foreach composition, the number of dead cockroaches out of the total numberof cockroaches tested, the square root percent dead cockroaches, theproportion of dead cockroaches, and the arcsine square root percent deadcockroaches.

TABLE 4 Square Composition # # root % Proportion Arcsine square (%wt/wt) tested dead dead dead root % dead Isopropyl myristate 15 1 0.25820.06667 14.9632174 (80%) Isopropyl myristate 17 0 0 0 0 (80%) Isopropylmyristate 15 1 0.2582 0.06667 14.9632174 (80%) Isopropyl myristate 12 10.28868 0.08333 16.7786549 (80%) Mineral oil (80%) 15 2 0.36515 0.1333321.416714 Mineral oil (80%) 17 1 0.24254 0.05882 14.0362435 Mineral oil(80%) 15 2 0.36515 0.13333 21.416714 Mineral oil (80%) 12 0 0 0 0Mineral oil (80%) 15 2 0.36515 0.13333 21.416714 Mineral oil (40%), 15 60.63246 0.4 39.2315205 isopropyl myristate (40%) Mineral oil (40%), 16 30.43301 0.1875 25.6589063 isopropyl myristate (40%) Mineral oil (40%),15 4 0.5164 0.26667 31.0909304 isopropyl myristate (40%) Mineral oil(40%), 12 2 0.40825 0.16667 24.0948425 isopropyl myristate (40%) Mineraloil (50%), 15 8 0.7303 0.53333 46.9112769 isopropyl myristate (30%)Mineral oil (50%), 16 6 0.61237 0.375 37.7612439 isopropyl myristate(30%) Mineral oil (50%), 15 3 0.44721 0.2 26.5650512 isopropyl myristate(30%) Mineral oil (50%), 12 4 0.57735 0.33333 35.2643897 isopropylmyristate (30%) Mineral oil (60%), 15 4 0.5164 0.26667 31.0909304isopropyl myristate (20%) Mineral oil (60%), 15 7 0.68313 0.4666743.0887231 isopropyl myristate (20%) Mineral oil (60%), 15 4 0.51640.26667 31.0909304 isopropyl myristate (20%) Mineral oil (60%), 12 3 0.50.25 30 isopropyl myristate (20%)

The combined data for each treatment group is set forth in Table 5below.

TABLE 5 Average arcsine Number of sq. root Composition (% wt/wt)compositions % dead Variance Isopropyl myristate (80%) 4 11.6762724361.3258864 Mineral oil (80%) 5 15.6572771 86.82285408 Mineral oil (40%),isopropyl 4 30.01904993 46.70854263 myristate (40%) Mineral oil (50%),isopropyl 4 36.62549043 70.05079065 myristate (30%) Mineral oil (60%),isopropyl 4 33.81764598 38.46574917 myristate (20%)

As can be seen from these results, cockroaches treated with compositionscontaining both mineral oil and isopropyl myristate at all testedconcentrations had significantly higher mortality rates than cockroachestreated with only mineral oil or only isopropyl myristate, indicating asynergistic effect when the combination of mineral oil and isopropylmyristate is used.

Example 5

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising variousconcentrations of mineral oil and/or dioxane at killing cockroaches wastested.

To begin, compositions comprising mineral oil, dioxane, or a combinationof mineral oil and dioxane were prepared. The amount of mineral oiland/or dioxane in each composition is set forth below in Table 6, withthe remainder of each composition consisting of acetone.

Tests were generally performed as described in Example 1, except thenumber of cockroaches (all male) tested for each composition is setforth below in Table 6, and the compositions were not further dilutedwith acetone in a 1:1 (wt/wt) ratio prior to testing. The results areshown in Table 6, which lists the number of cockroaches tested for eachcomposition, the number of dead cockroaches out of the total number ofcockroaches tested, the square root percent dead cockroaches, theproportion of dead cockroaches, and the arcsine square root percent deadcockroaches.

TABLE 6 Composition Square root % Proportion Arcsine square (% wt/wt) #tested # dead dead dead root % dead Dioxane (50%) 10 0 0 0 0 Dioxane(50%) 14 0 0 0 0 Dioxane (50%) 14 0 0 0 0 Dioxane (50%) 12 0 0 0 0Dioxane (50%) 13 1 0.277350098 0.07692308 16.10211375 Mineral oil (80%)13 1 0.277350098 0.07692308 16.10211375 Mineral oil (80%) 14 20.377964473 0.14285714 22.2076543 Mineral oil (80%) 14 2 0.3779644730.14285714 22.2076543 Mineral oil (80%) 14 1 0.267261242 0.0714285715.50135957 Mineral oil (80%) 13 2 0.39223227 0.15384615 23.09346927Mineral oil (40%), 14 10 0.845154255 0.71428571 57.68846676 dioxane(40%) Mineral oil (40%), 14 11 0.88640526 0.78571429 62.42495229 dioxane(40%) Mineral oil (40%), 14 11 0.88640526 0.78571429 62.42495229 dioxane(40%) Mineral oil (40%), 15 9 0.774596669 0.6 50.76847952 dioxane (40%)Mineral oil (40%), 13 12 0.960768923 0.92307692 73.89788625 dioxane(40%)

As can be seen from these results, cockroaches treated with compositionscontaining both mineral oil and dioxane had significantly highermortality rates than cockroaches treated with only mineral oil or onlydioxane, indicating a synergistic effect when the combination of mineraloil and dioxane is used.

Example 6

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising variousconcentrations of mineral oil and/or d-limonene at killing cockroacheswas tested.

To begin, compositions comprising mineral oil, d-limonene, or acombination of mineral oil and d-limonene were prepared. The amount ofmineral oil and/or d-limonene in each composition is set forth below inTable 7, with the remainder of each composition consisting of acetone.

Tests were generally performed as described in Example 1, except thenumber of cockroaches (all male) tested for each composition is setforth below in Table 7, and the compositions were not further dilutedwith acetone in a 1:1 (wt/wt) ratio prior to testing. The results areshown in Table 7, which lists the number of cockroaches tested for eachcomposition, the number of dead cockroaches out of the total number ofcockroaches tested, the square root percent dead cockroaches, theproportion of dead cockroaches, and the arcsine square root percent deadcockroaches.

TABLE 7 # Square root % Proportion Arcsine square Composition (% wt/wt)# tested dead dead dead root % dead d-limonene (40%) 14 1 0.2672612420.0714286 15.50135957 d-limonene (40%) 12 0 0 0 0 d-limonene (40%) 15 20.365148372 0.1333333 21.41671403 d-limonene (40%) 14 2 0.3779644730.1428571 22.2076543 Mineral oil (80%) 14 2 0.377964473 0.142857122.2076543 Mineral oil (80%) 14 1 0.267261242 0.0714286 15.50135957Mineral oil (80%) 13 2 0.39223227 0.1538462 23.09346927 Mineral oil(80%) 14 1 0.267261242 0.0714286 15.50135957 Mineral oil (40%), d- 14 60.654653671 0.4285714 40.89339465 limonene (40%) Mineral oil (40%), d-13 5 0.620173673 0.3846154 38.3288181 limonene (40%) Mineral oil (40%),d- 14 12 0.9258201 0.8571429 67.7923457 limonene (40%) Mineral oil(40%), d- 14 7 0.707106781 0.5 45 limonene (40%)

The combined data for each treatment group is set forth in Table 8below.

TABLE 8 Composition Number of Average arcsine (% wt/wt) compositions sq.root % dead Variance d-limonene (40%) 4 14.78145 106.0618 Mineral oil(80%) 4 19.076 17.16779 Mineral oil (40%), 4 48.00363 181.5903d-limonene (40%)

As can be seen from these results, cockroaches treated with compositionscontaining both mineral oil and d-limonene had significantly highermortality rates than cockroaches treated with only mineral oil or onlyd-limonene, indicating a synergistic effect when the combination ofmineral oil and d-limonene is used.

Example 7

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising varioustypes of mineral oil at killing cockroaches was tested.

To begin, compositions comprising one of three different types ofmineral oil in varying concentrations were prepared. The mineral oilsused in this example were PD-23 (Sample No. 88446, 1997, available fromChemtura Corporation, Middlebury, Conn.), which is a low viscosity(e.g., about 2.6 cSt at 40° C. or about 34 SUS at 100° F. (38° C.))petroleum distillate; PD-25 (Sample No. 88447, available from ChemturaCorporation, Middlebury, Conn.), which is a medium viscosity (e.g.,about 3.5 cSt at 40° C. or about 39 SUS at 100° F. (38° C.)) petroleumdistillate; and PD-28 (Sample No. 88448, 1997, available from ChemturaCorporation, Middlebury, Conn.), which is a relatively high viscosity(e.g., about 4.2 cSt at 40° C. or about 39 SUS at 100° F. (38° C.))petroleum distillate. The amount of each type of mineral oil in eachcomposition is set forth below in Table 9, with the remainder of thecomposition comprising ethanol.

Tests were generally performed as described in Example 1, except 2 μl ofthe compositions were applied to each cockroach, the number ofcockroaches (all male) tested for each diluted composition is set forthbelow in Table 9, and the compositions were not further diluted withacetone in a 1:1 (wt/wt) ratio prior to testing. The results are shownin Table 9.

TABLE 9 Composition (% wt/wt) # tested # dead PD-23 (50%) 10 10 PD-23(20%) 10 2 PD-23 (20%) 9 2 PD-25 (50%) 9 8 PD-25 (20%) 11 0 PD-28 (50%)9 5 PD-28 (20%) 10 0

As can be seen from these results, compositions containing the higherconcentration of mineral oil (i.e., the 50% compositions) were moreeffective against adult German cockroaches than the lower concentrationcompositions (i.e., the 20% compositions). Of the 20% compositions, onlythe PD-23 had any effect against the cockroaches. These results indicatethat the lightest weight mineral oil used in these tests, PD-23, was themost active against adult German cockroaches.

Example 8

In this embodiment, an aerosol pesticidal composition of the presentdisclosure was prepared. The ingredients and amounts used to prepare thecomposition are set forth in Table 10 below.

TABLE 10 Amount Ingredient (wt/wt %) Mineral oil (PD-23, available56.20% from Chemtura) Ethyl lactate 14.95% Isopropyl myristate 24.00%Geraniol 2.00% Carbon dioxide 2.85%

The composition was prepared by mixing the mineral oil, ethyl lactate,isopropyl myristate and geraniol together until homogenous. Theresulting composition was placed in an aerosol can. The lid and actuatorof the aerosol can were sealed onto the top of the can. The carbondioxide was introduced into the can through the actuator to pressurizethe can. The resulting product can be used as an aerosol spraypesticidal composition.

Example 9

In this example, various mineral oils and alcohols were tested todetermine, for cockroaches, the LD₅₀ and LD₁₀ for each.

PD23 and PD28 mineral oils were obtained from Sonneborn LLC, Mahwah,N.J. The physical properties of these oils are shown in Table 11. Eachmineral oil was tested to determine the LD₅₀ and LD₁₀ (Table 12).

TABLE 11 PROPERTY PD23 PD28 Test Method Specific gravity 60/60 0.8000.823 ASTM D-287 Viscosity SUS @ 100° F. 34 39 ASTM D-2161 (38° C.)Viscosity cSt @ 40° C. 2.6 4.2 ASTM-D-445 Pour point ° F. (° C.) 0 (−18)−40 (−40) ASTM D-97 Distillation range, ° F. Ibp 452 526  50% 486 568 95% 514 614 100% 533 625 Molecular weight 220 245

The alcohols tested comprise C1-C14 saturated straight chain alcohols,and alcohols selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol,2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol,2-phenylethanol and diacetone alcohol. The tested alcohols were obtainedfrom Sigma-Aldrich Corp., St. Louis, Mo. Each alcohol was tested todetermine the LD₅₀ and LD₁₀ (Table 12). The dose-response mortality datawere analyzed using probit analysis (PoloPlus©, LeOra Software Co.,Petaluma Calif., 2003) to estimate LD₅₀ and LD₁₀ values and their 95%confidence intervals.

TABLE 12 Test Substance LD₅₀ mg/insect LD₁₀ mg/insect n (CAS number)(95% CI) (95% CI) Slope (+/−SE) (sample size) PD23-mineral oil 1.4530.754 4.500 (0.360) 394 (8042-47-5) (1.303-1.629) (0.632-0.863)PD28-mineral oil 2.013 1.463 9.259 (1.204) 249 (8042-47-5) (1.916-2.105)(1.285-1.588) Methanol >7.00  Estimated at ~3.000 n/a 151 (67-56-1)Ethanol 2.361 1.760 10.037 (1.285)  215 (64-17-5) (2.084-2.659)(1.255-2.014) 1-propanol 0.557 0.472 17.756 (2.034)  248 (71-23-8)(0.527-0.582) (0.414-0.504) 1-butanol 1.018 0.877 19.808 (3.556)  143(71-36-3) (0.980-1.070) (0.814-0.917) 1-hexanol 0.718 0.452 6.392(0.869) 157 (111-27-3) (0.651-0.793) (0.371-0.514) 1-heptanol 0.7910.462 5.502 (0.951) 154 (111-70-6) (0.704-0.899) (0.324-0.549) 1-octanol0.524 0.267 4.375 (0.720) 149 (111-87-5) (0.390-0.635) (0.116-0.367)1-nonanol 0.448 0.207 3.832 (0.757) 84 (143-08-08) (0.296-0.633)(0.051-0.309) 1-decanol 0.421 0.275 6.931 (1.023) 272 (112-30-1)((0.365-0.479) (0.151-0.331) 1-undecanol 0.406 0.265 6.956 (1.013) 165(112-42-5) (0.373-0.444) (0.221-0.298) 1-dodecanol 0.357 0.245 7.809(1.350) 135 (112-53-8) (0.304-0.412) (0.146-0.292) 1-tetradecanol 1.7451.193 7.756 (1.268) 131 (112-72-1) (1.568-1.948) (0.902-1.369) Isopropylalcohol 1.172 0.676 5.370 (0.701) 195 (67-63-0) (1.014-1.394)(0.462-0.814) 2-butanol 1.188 0.881 9.873 (1.479) 111 (78-92-2)(1.058-1.369) (0.709-0.997) isobutyl alcohol 0.517 0.253 4.129 (0.452)299 (78-83-1) (0.426-0.644) (0.146-0.326) tertiary butyl 0.716 0.55311.392 (2.147)  112 alcohol (0.634-1.004) (0.385-0.625) (75-65-0)2-butoxyethanol 0.377 0.256 7.613 (1.200) 157 (111-76-2) (0.349-0.413)(0.217-0.282) 2-phenylethanol 0.169 0.075 3.628 (0.546) 142 (60-12-8)(0.114-0.327) (0.015-0.113) Diacetone alcohol 0.483 0.255 4.617 (0.596)171 (123-42-2) (0.390-0.591) (0.151-0.329)

Example 10

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising variousalcohols and/or mineral oil at killing cockroaches was tested.

The compositions comprising alcohol and/or mineral oil are described inTable 13. The tests were performed as described in Example 1.

TABLE 13 # Pro- dead portion # at dead Composition treated 24 h at 24 hdiacetone alcohol (0.4 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 11 11 1.000 diacetone alcohol(0.4 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 11 10 0.909 diacetone alcohol (0.4 mg) + PD23(0.4 mg) 12 11 0.917 diacetone alcohol (0.3 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 120.923 diacetone alcohol (0.3 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 11 0.846 diacetonealcohol (0.3 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 14 12 0.857 diacetone alcohol (0.3 mg)13 0 0.000 diacetone alcohol (0.3 mg) 13 0 0.000 diacetone alcohol (0.3mg) 14 1 0.071 methanol (1.0 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 14 1 0.071 methanol(1.0 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 14 0 0.000 methanol (1.0 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 141 0.071 methanol (3.0 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 4 0.333 methanol (3.0 mg) +PD23 (0.4 mg) 14 4 0.286 methanol (3.0 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 5 0.417methanol (3.0 mg) 14 0 0.000 methanol (3.0 mg) 12 0 0.000 methanol (3.0mg) 13 1 0.077 ethanol (1.0 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 14 1 0.071 ethanol (1.0mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 2 0.154 ethanol (1.0 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 40.308 ethanol (1.25 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 5 0.417 ethanol (1.25 mg) +PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 3 0.250 ethanol (1.25 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 3 0.231ethanol (1.25 mg) 13 0 0.000 ethanol (1.25 mg) 12 1 0.083 ethanol (1.25mg) 12 0 0.000 1-propanol (0.6 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 12 1.0001-propanol (0.6 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 11 11 1.000 1-propanol (0.6 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 10 1.000 1-propanol (0.50 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 121.000 1-propanol (0.50 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 13 13 1.000 1-propanol (0.50mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 13 13 1.000 1-propanol (0.45 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg)12 10 0.833 1-propanol (0.45 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 13 13 1.000 1-propanol(0.45 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 12 1.000 1-propanol (0.45 mg) 12 1 0.0831-propanol (0.45 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-propanol (0.45 mg) 12 0 0.000Isopropyl alcohol (0.6 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 3 0.250 Isopropyl alcohol(0.6 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 14 4 0.286 Isopropyl alcohol (0.6 mg) + PD23(0.4 mg) 12 3 0.250 Isopropyl alcohol (0.6 mg) 12 0 0.000 Isopropylalcohol (0.6 mg) 14 0 0.000 Isopropyl alcohol (0.6 mg) 12 0 0.000Isopropyl alcohol (0.8 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 3 0.250 Isopropyl alcohol(0.8 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 7 0.538 Isopropyl alcohol (0.8 mg) + PD23(0.4 mg) 12 10 0.833 1-butanol (0.8 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 8 0.6151-butanol (0.8 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 10 0.769 1-butanol (0.8 mg) + PD23(0.4 mg) 13 10 0.769 1-butanol (0.8 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-butanol (0.8 mg) 130 0.000 1-butanol (0.8 mg) 10 1 0.100 2-butanol (0.8 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg)12 1 0.083 2-butanol (0.8 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 14 0 0.000 2-butanol (0.8mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 3 0.250 2-butanol (0.8 mg) 13 0 0.000 2-butanol(0.8 mg) 13 0 0.000 2-butanol (0.8 mg) 12 1 0.083 t-butyl alcohol (0.5mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 10 3 0.300 t-butyl alcohol (0.5 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg)11 3 0.273 t-butyl alcohol (0.5 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 8 0.667 t-butylalcohol (0.5 mg) 12 0 0.000 t-butyl alcohol (0.5 mg) 11 0 0.000 t-butylalcohol (0.5 mg) 10 0 0.000 t-butyl alcohol (0.5 mg) 11 2 0.182 isobutylalcohol (0.50 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 14 11 0.786 isobutyl alcohol (0.50mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 13 13 1.000 isobutyl alcohol (0.50 mg) + PD23 (0.40mg) 15 15 1.000 isobutyl alcohol (0.50 mg) 14 1 0.071 isobutyl alcohol(0.20 mg) 13 0 0.000 isobutyl alcohol (0.20 mg) 12 0 0.000 isobutylalcohol (0.20 mg) 13 1 0.077 isobutyl alcohol (0.20 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg)14 2 0.143 isobutyl alcohol (0.20 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 13 3 0.231isobutyl alcohol (0.20 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 15 11 0.733 isobutyl alcohol(0.20 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 7 0.583 1-hexanol (0.4 mg) + PD23 (0.40mg) 13 13 1.000 1-hexanol (0.4 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 12 1.0001-hexanol (0.4 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 12 1.000 1-hexanol (0.4 mg) 12 10.083 1-hexanol (0.4 mg) 12 1 0.083 1-hexanol (0.4 mg) 12 1 0.0831-heptanol (0.4 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 12 1.000 1-heptanol (0.4 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 11 0.917 1-hexanol (0.4 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 121.000 1-heptanol (0.4 mg) 12 1 0.083 1-heptanol (0.4 mg) 12 0 0.0001-heptanol (0.4 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-octanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 30.250 1-octanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 3 0.250 1-octanol (0.2mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 3 0.250 1-octanol (0.2 mg) 13 2 0.154 1-octanol(0.2 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-octanol (0.2 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-nonanol (0.2 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 4 0.333 1-nonanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 3 0.2501-nonanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 1 0.083 1-nonanol (0.2 mg) 12 00.000 1-nonanol (0.2 mg) 16 1 0.063 1-nonanol (0.2 mg) 13 0 0.0001-decanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-decanol (0.2 mg) + PD23(0.40 mg) 12 1 0.083 1-decanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 0 0.0001-decanol (0.2 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-decanol (0.2 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-decanol(0.2 mg) 13 1 0.077 1-undecanol (0.25 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 0 0.0001-undecanol (0.25 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 13 1 0.077 1-undecanol (0.25mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-undecanol (0.25 mg) 13 2 0.1541-undecanol (0.25 mg) 12 0 0.000 1-undecanol (0.25 mg) 13 2 0.1541-dodecanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 13 2 0.154 1-dodecanol (0.2 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 3 0.250 1-dodecanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 50.417 1-dodecanol (0.2 mg) 13 2 0.154 1-dodecanol (0.2 mg) 13 0 0.0001-dodecanol (0.2 mg) 13 1 0.077 1-tetradecanol (1.00 mg) + PD23 (0.40mg) 12 1 0.083 1-tetradecanol (1.00 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 0 0.0001-tetradecanol (1.00 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 12 1 0.083 1-tetradecanol(1.00 mg) 12 1 0.083 1-tetradecanol (1.00 mg) 12 1 0.083 1-tetradecanol(1.00 mg) 13 2 0.154 2-phenylethanol (0.1 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 7 0.5832-phenylethanol (0.1 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 14 14 1.000 2-phenylethanol(0.1 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 10 0.769 2-phenylethanol (0.1 mg) 12 1 0.0832-phenylethanol (0.1 mg) 12 1 0.083 2-phenylethanol (0.1 mg) 13 0 0.0002-phenylethanol (0.1 mg) 10 3 0.300 2-butyoxyethanol (0.3 mg) + PD23(0.4 mg) 12 12 1.000 2-butyoxyethanol (0.3 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 121.000 2-butyoxyethanol (0.3 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 12 12 1.0002-butyoxyethanol (0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 6 0.462 2-butyoxyethanol(0.2 mg) + PD23 (0.4 mg) 13 6 0.462 2-butyoxyethanol (0.2 mg) + PD23(0.4 mg) 13 2 0.154 2-butyoxyethanol (0.2 mg) 14 0 0.0002-butyoxyethanol (0.2 mg) 13 0 0.000 2-butyoxyethanol (0.2 mg) 13 00.000

The composite data for certain compositions is presented below (Table14), also including the calculated proportion of cockroaches dead at 24hours for the group treated with alcohol alone and for the group treatedwith the composition comprising PD23 and alcohol. The difference betweenthe proportion of dead cockroaches in the group treated with thecomposition comprising PD23 and alcohol and the group treated withalcohol alone was calculated, and is also presented in Table 14. Here,the increase in mortality indicates a synergistic effect with thecombination compared to the alcohol or mineral oil alone, with a higherdifference indicating a greater synergy. The straight chain saturatedalcohols with chain lengths of C3-C7 demonstrated the greatest increase,or difference, in mortality when combined with PD23 mineral oil, ascompared to the other alcohols tested.

TABLE 14 Significance (* p < 0.05; Total # Difference ** p < 0.01;Individual or cockroaches # dead Proportion (combination- ns = notcombination treatment treated at 24 h dead at 24 h alcohol) significant)PD23 - mineral oil 91 0 0 n/a (0.40 mg) methanol (3.0 mg) 39 1 0.026methanol (3.0 mg) + 38 13 0.342 0.316 * PD23 (0.40 mg) ethanol (1.25 mg)37 1 0.027 ethanol (1.25 mg) + 37 11 0.297 0.270 * PD23 (0.40 mg)1-propanol (0.45 mg) 36 1 0.028 1-propanol (0.45 mg) + 37 35 0.946 0.918** PD23 (0.40 mg) 1-butanol (0.8 mg) 35 1 0.029 1-butanol (0.8 mg) + 3928 0.718 0.689 ** PD23 (0.40 mg) 1-hexanol (0.4 mg) 36 3 0.083 1-hexanol(0.4 mg) + 37 37 1.000 0.917 ** PD23 (0.40 mg) 1-heptanol (0.4 mg) 36 10.028 1-heptanol (0.4 mg) + 36 35 0.972 0.944 ** PD23 (0.40 mg)1-octanol (0.2 mg) 37 2 0.054 1-octanol (0.2 mg) + 36 9 0.250 0.196 *PD23 (0.40 mg) 1-nonanol (0.2 mg) 41 1 0.024 1-nonanol (0.2 mg) + 36 80.222 0.198 * PD23 (0.40 mg) 1-decanol (0.2 mg) 37 1 0.027 1-decanol(0.2 mg) + 36 1 0.028 0.001 ns PD23 (0.40 mg) 1-undecanol (0.25 mg) 38 40.105 1-undecanol (0.25 mg) + 37 1 0.027 −0.078 ns PD23 (0.40 mg)1-dodecanol (0.2 mg) 39 3 0.077 1-dodecanol (0.2 mg) + 37 10 0.270 0.193ns PD23 (0.40 mg) 1-tetradecanol (1.0 mg) 37 4 0.108 1-tetradecanol (1.0mg) + 36 2 0.056 −0.052 ns PD23 (0.40 mg) diacetone alcohol (0.30 mg) 401 0.025 diacetone alcohol (0.30 mg) + 40 35 0.875 0.850 ** PD23 (0.40mg) Isopropyl alcohol (0.60 mg) 38 0 0.000 Isopropyl alcohol (0.60 mg) +38 10 0.263 0.263 * PD23 (0.40 mg) 2-butanol (0.80 mg) 38 1 0.0262-butanol (0.80 mg) + 38 4 0.105 0.079 ns PD23 (0.40 mg) t-butyl alcohol(0.50 mg) 44 2 0.045 t-butyl alcohol (0.50 mg) + 33 14 0.424 0.379 *PD23 (0.40 mg) isobutyl alcohol (0.20 mg) 38 1 0.026 isobutyl alcohol(0.20 mg) + 38 23 0.605 0.579 ** PD23 (0.40 mg) 2-phenylethanol (0.10mg) 47 5 0.106 2-phenylethanol (0.10 mg) + 39 31 0.795 0.689 ** PD23(0.40 mg) 2-butyoxyethanol (0.20 mg) 40 0 0.000 2-butyoxyethanol (0.20mg) + 36 14 0.389 0.389 * PD23 (0.40 mg)

Example 11

In this embodiment, an aerosol pesticidal composition of the presentdisclosure was prepared. The ingredients and amounts used to prepare thecomposition are set forth in Table 15 below.

TABLE 15 Ingredient Amount (wt/wt %) Mineral oil (PD-23, available43.13% from Chemtura) Ethyl lactate 14.95% Isopropyl myristate 30.00%Geraniol 6.00% Nerol 2.57% Lemongrass oil 0.50% Carbon dioxide 2.85%

The composition was prepared by mixing a geraniol/nerol composition withthe mineral oil, ethyl lactate, isopropyl myristate and lemongrass oiluntil homogenous. The resulting composition was placed in an aerosolcan. The lid and actuator of the aerosol can were sealed onto the top ofthe can. The carbon dioxide was introduced into the can through theactuator to pressurize the can. The resulting product can be used as anaerosol pesticidal composition.

Example 12

In this example, the effectiveness of compositions comprising variouscompounds and/or mineral oil at killing cockroaches was tested.

The compounds tested are shown in Table 16. The tests were performed asdescribed in Example 1.

TABLE 16 # dead at Proportion Composition # treated 24 h dead at 24 hrgamma butyrolactone (96-48-0) (0.25 mg) 7 3 0.429 gamma butyrolactone(96-48-0) (0.25 mg) 10 3 0.300 gamma butyrolactone (96-48-0) (0.25 mg)10 5 0.500 gamma butyrolactone (0.25 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 8 8 1.000gamma butyrolactone (0.25 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 9 0.900 gammabutyrolactone (0.25 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 11 10 0.909 nitromethane(75-52-5) (0.70 mg) 11 0 0.000 nitromethane (75-52-5) (0.70 mg) 12 00.000 nitromethane (75-52-5) (0.70 mg) 11 0 0.000 nitromethane (75-52-5)(0.80 mg) 7 0 0.000 nitromethane (75-52-5) (0.80 mg) 10 2 0.200nitromethane (75-52-5) (0.80 mg) 11 3 0.273 Nitromethane (0.70 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 11 6 0.545 Nitromethane (0.70 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 11 70.636 Nitromethane (0.70 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 11 7 0.636 Nitromethane(0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 7 7 1.000 Nitromethane (0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40mg) 10 9 0.900 Nitromethane (0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 11 7 0.636Di(ethylene) glycol (111-46-6) (0.80 mg) 10 0 0.000 Di(ethylene) glycol(111-46-6) (0.80 mg) 10 0 0.000 Di(ethylene) glycol (111-46-6) (0.80 mg)13 6 0.462 Di(ethylene) glycol (0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 0 0.000Acetophenone (98-86-2) (0.10 mg) 10 0 0.000 Acetophenone (98-86-2) (0.10mg) 10 0 0.000 Acetophenone (98-86-2) (0.10 mg) 10 0 0.000 Acetophenone(98-86-2) (0.10 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 3 0.300 Acetophenone (98-86-2)(0.10 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 8 0.800 Acetophenone (98-86-2) (0.10 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 10 1.000 diethyl ether (60-29-7) (2.00 mg) 11 0 0.000diethyl ether (60-29-7) (2.00 mg) 10 0 0.000 diethyl ether (2.00 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 1 0.000 Isopropyl acetate (108-21-4) (1.00 mg) 10 10.100 Isopropyl acetate (108-21-4) (1.00 mg) 10 2 0.200 Isopropylacetate (108-21-4) (1.00 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 0 0.000 2-butanone(methyl ethyl ketone) (78-93-3) (2.00 mg) 13 0 0.000 2-butanone (methylethyl ketone) (78-93-3) (2.00 mg) 12 2 0.167 2-butanone (methyl ethylketone) (78-93-3) (2.00 mg) 11 1 0.091 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone)(78-93-3) (2.00 mg) + 10 3 0.300 PD23 (0.40 mg) 2-butanone (methyl ethylketone) (78-93-3) (2.00 mg) + 12 2 0.167 PD23 (0.40 mg) 2-butanone(methyl ethyl ketone) (78-93-3) (2.00 mg) + 12 2 0.167 PD23 (0.40 mg)Triacetin (102-76-1) (2.00 mg) 10 0 0.000 Triacetin (102-76-1) (2.00 mg)10 1 0.100 Triacetin (102-76-1) (2.00 mg) 10 0 0.000 Triacetin(102-76-1) (2.0 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 11 6 0.545 Triacetin (102-76-1)(2.0 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 8 0.800 Triacetin (102-76-1) (2.0 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 8 0.800 Pyridine (110-86-1) (0.10 mg) 11 0 0.000Pyridine (110-86-1) (0.10 mg) 10 0 0.000 Pyridine (110-86-1) (0.10 mg)10 1 0.100 Pyridine (110-86-1) (0.10 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 10 1.000Pyridine (110-86-1) (0.10 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 10 1.000 Pyridine(110-86-1) (0.10 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 10 1.000 Chloroform anhydrous(67-66-3) (1.00 mg) 10 1 0.100 Chloroform anhydrous (67-66-3) (1.00 mg)10 0 0.000 Chloroform anhydrous (67-66-3) (1.00 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 100 0.000 Methyl isobutyl ketone (108-10-1) (1.00 mg) 10 1 0.100 Methylisobutyl ketone (108-10-1) (1.00 mg) 11 0 0.000 Methyl isobutyl ketone(108-10-1) (1.00 mg) + PD23 10 1 0.100 (0.40 mg) Tetrahydrofuran(109-99-9) (0.80 mg) 10 3 0.300 Tetrahydrofuran (109-99-9) (0.80 mg) +PD 23 (0.40 mg) 10 0 0.000 2-ethoxyethanol (ethyl cellosolve) (110-80-5)(0.60 mg) 10 1 0.100 2-ethoxyethanol (ethyl cellosolve) (110-80-5) (0.60mg) 10 0 0.000 2-ethoxyethanol (ethyl cellosolve) (110-80-5) (0.60 mg)10 0 0.000 2-ethoxyethanol (ethyl cellosolve) (110-80-5) (0.60 mg) + 108 0.800 0.40 mg PD23 2-ethoxyethanol (ethyl cellosolve) (110-80-5) (0.60mg) + 10 5 0.500 0.40 mg PD23 2-ethoxyethanol (ethyl cellosolve)(110-80-5) (0.60 mg) + 11 7 0.636 0.40 mg PD23 n-methyl pyrrolidone(872-50-4) (0.10 mg) 10 5 0.500 n-methyl pyrrolidone (872-50-4) (0.05mg) 10 1 0.100 n-methyl pyrrolidone (872-50-4) (0.10 mg) + PD23 (0.40mg) 10 7 0.700 n-methyl pyrrolidone (872-50-4) (0.05 mg) + PD23 (0.40mg) 12 1 0.083 Polyethylene glycol 200 Sigma (25322-68-3) (0.80 mg) 10 10.100 Polyethylene glycol 200 Sigma (25322-68-3) (0.80 mg) 10 0 0.000Polyethylene glycol 200 Sigma (25322-68-3) (0.80 mg) 12 4 0.333Polyethylene glycol 200 Sigma (0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 3 0.300Dimethoxymethane (methylal) (109-87-5) (2.00 mg) 12 0 0.000Dimethoxymethane (methylal) (109-87-5) (2.00 mg) 10 0 0.000Dimethoxymethane (methylal) (109-87-5) (2.00 mg) + 10 1 0.100 PD23 (0.40mg) Methyl chloroform (71-55-6) (2.00 mg) 11 1 0.091 Methyl chloroform(71-55-6) (2.00 mg) 10 1 0.100 Methyl chloroform (71-55-6) (2.00 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 0 0.000 Diisopropyl biphenyl Nu-solv (69009-90-1)(0.80 mg) 10 0 0.000 Diisopropyl biphenyl Nu-solv (69009-90-1) (0.80mg) + 10 2 0.200 PD23 (0.40 mg) Hexanes (110-54-3) (0.80 mg) 10 1 0.100Hexanes (0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 0 0.000 Methyl t-butyl ether(1634-04-4) (2.00 mg) 12 2 0.167 Methyl t-butyl ether (1634-04-4) (2.00mg) 10 3 0.300 Methyl t-butyl ether (1634-04-4) (2.00 mg) + PD23 (0.40mg) 10 2 0.200 Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) (75-09-02) (1.50 mg)10 0 0.000 Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) (1.50 mg) + 10 0 0.000PD23 (0.40 mg) Toluene (108-88-3) (0.90 mg) 10 0 0.000 Toluene(108-88-3) (0.90 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 10 1 0.100

The composite data for certain compositions is presented below (Table17), also including the calculated proportion of cockroaches dead at 24hours for the group treated with the specific compounds alone and forthe group treated with the composition comprising PD23 and the compound.The difference between the proportion of dead cockroaches in the grouptreated with the composition comprising PD23 and the compounds and thegroup treated with the compounds alone was calculated, and is alsopresented in Table 17. Here, the increase in mortality indicates asynergistic effect with the combination compared to the tested compoundor mineral oil alone, with a higher difference indicating a greatersynergy. γ-butyrolactone, nitromethane, acetophenone, triacetin,pyridine and 2-ethoxyethanol demonstrated the greatest increase inmortality when combined with PD23 mineral oil, as compared to the othercompounds tested.

TABLE 17 Significance (* p < 0.05; Total # of Difference ** p < 0.01;Individual or combination cockroaches # dead Proportion (combination- ns= not treatment treated at 24 h dead at 24 h solvent) significant)PD23-mineral oil (0.40 mg) 91 0 0.000 n/a gamma butyrolactone (96- 27 110.407 48-0) (0.25 mg) gamma butyrolactone (96- 29 27 0.931 0.524 **48-0) (0.25 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) nitromethane (75-52-5) 34 0 0.000 (0.70mg) nitromethane (75-52-5) 33 20 0.606 0.606 ** (0.70 mg) + PD23 (0.40mg) nitromethane (75-52-5) 28 5 0.179 (0.80 mg) nitromethane (75-52-5)28 23 0.821 0.643 ** (0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) Di(ethylene) glycol(111-46- 33 6 0.182 6) (0.80 mg) Di(ethylene) glycol (111-46- 10 0 0.000−0.182 ns 6) (0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) Acetophenone (98-86-2) 30 00.000 (0.10 mg) Acetophenone (98-86-2) 30 21 0.700 0.700 * (0.10 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) diethyl ether (60-29-7) (2.0 mg) 21 0 0.000 diethyl ether(60-29-7) (2.0 mg) + 10 1 0.100 0.100 ns PD23 (0.40 mg) Isopropylacetate (108-21-4) 20 3 0.150 (1.0 mg) Isopropyl acetate (108-21-4) 10 00.000 −0.150 ns (1.0 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) 2-butanone (methyl ethyl 36 30.083 ketone) (78-93-3) (2.0 mg) 2-butanone (methyl ethyl 34 7 0.2060.123 ns ketone) (78-93-3) (2.0 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) Triacetin(102-76-1) (2.0 mg) 30 1 0.033 Triacetin (102-76-1) (2.0 mg) + 31 220.710 0.676 ** PD23 (0.40 mg) Pyridine (110-86-1) (0.10 mg) 31 1 0.032Pyridine (110-86-1) (0.10 mg) + 30 30 1.000 0.968 ** PD23 (0.40 mg)Chloroform-anhydrous (67- 20 1 0.050 66-3) (2.0 mg) Chloroform-anhydrous(67- 10 0 0.000 −0.050 ns 66-3) (2.0 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) Methylisobutyl ketone 21 1 0.048 (108-10-1) (1.0 mg) Methyl isobutyl ketone 101 0.100 0.052 ns (108-10-1) (1.0 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) Tetrahydrofuran(109-99-9) 10 3 0.300 (0.80 mg) Tetrahydrofuran (109-99-9) 10 0 0.000−0.300 ns (0.80 mg) + PD 23 (0.40 mg) 2-ethoxyethanol (ethyl 30 1 0.033cellosolve) (110-80-5) (0.60 mg) 2-ethoxyethanol (ethyl 31 20 0.6450.612 ** cellosolve) (110-80-5) (0.60 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) n-methylpyrrolidone (872- 10 1 0.100 50-4) (0.05 mg) n-methyl pyrrolidone (872-12 1 0.083 −0.017 ns 50-4) (0.05 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) n-methylpyrrolidone (872- 10 5 0.500 50-4) (0.10 mg) n-methyl pyrrolidone (872-10 7 0.700 0.200 ns 50-4) (0.10 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) Polyethylene glycol200 32 5 0.156 Sigma (25322-68-3) (0.80 mg) Polyethylene glycol 200 10 30.300 0.144 ns Sigma (25322-68-3) (0.80 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg)Dimethoxymethane 22 0 0.000 (methylal) (109-87-5) (2.0 mg)Dimethoxymethane 10 1 0.100 0.100 ns (methylal) (109-87-5) (2.0 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) Methyl chloroform (71-55- 21 2 0.095 6) (2.00 mg) Methylchloroform (71-55- 10 0 0.000 −0.095 ns 6) (2.00 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg)Diisopropyl biphenyl Nu- 10 0 0.000 solv (69009-90-1) (0.80 mg)Diisopropyl biphenyl Nu- 10 2 0.200 0.200 solv (69009-90-1) (0.80 mg) +PD23 (0.40 mg) Hexanes (110-54-3) (0.80 mg) 10 1 0.100 Hexanes(110-54-3) (0.80 mg) + 10 0 0.000 −0.100 ns PD23 (0.40 mg) Methylt-butyl ether (1634- 22 5 0.227 04-4) (2.00 mg) Methyl t-butyl ether(1634- 10 2 0.200 −0.027 ns 04-4) (2.00 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg)Dichloromethane 10 0 0.000 (methylene chloride) (75- 09-02) (1.50 mg)Dichloromethane 10 0 0.000 0.000 ns (methylene chloride) (75- 09-02)(1.50 mg) + PD23 (0.40 mg) Toluene (108-88-3) (0.90 mg) 10 0 0.000Toluene (108-88-3) (0.90 mg) + 10 1 0.100 0.100 ns PD23 (0.40 mg)

Example 17

1-propanol and 1-heptanol were tested alone and in combination withExxsol D95 mineral oil. EXXSOL D95 was also tested alone. The resultsare shown in Table 18. Both alcohols exhibited significant synergy withEXXSOL D95.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferredembodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of thedisclosure are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above compositions and productswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

TABLE 18 Individual or Total # of Difference Significance combinationcockroaches # dead at Proportion (combination- (* p < 0.05; ** treatmenttreated 24 h dead at 24 h solvent) p < 0.01) EXXSOL D95 (64742- 30 10.033 47-8) (0.40 mg) 1-heptanol (111-70- 36 1 0.028 6) (0.40 mg)1-propanol (71-23- 36 1 0.028 8) (0.45 mg) EXXSOL D95 (0.40 mg) + 21 211.000 0.972 ** 1 heptanol (0.40 mg) EXXSOL D95 (0.40 mg) + 21 19 0.9050.877 ** 1-propanol (0.40 mg)

1. A pesticidal composition comprising at least about 10% mineral oil byweight of the composition and at least about 10% ethyl lactate by weightof the composition.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein thecomposition comprises at least about 30% mineral oil by weight of thecomposition.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the compositionfurther comprises a plant essential oil or derivative thereof.
 4. Thecomposition of claim 3 wherein the plant essential oil or derivativethereof is geraniol.
 5. The composition of claim 4 wherein thecomposition further comprises isopropyl myristate.
 6. The composition ofclaim 5 wherein the composition comprises, by weight of the composition,about 43% mineral oil, about 15% ethyl lactate, about 30% by weightisopropyl myristate, and about 6% geraniol.
 7. The composition of claim6 wherein the composition further comprises about 3% nerol and about 1%lemongrass oil.
 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the mineral oil isa petroleum distillate.
 9. The composition of claim 1 wherein thecomposition further comprises an emulsifier.
 10. The composition ofclaim 1 wherein the composition comprises from about 10% to about 60%ethyl lactate by weight of the composition.